Steelers' Mike Tomlin Cited All The Reasons Russell Wilson Is A Natural Fit In Pittsburgh

When the Pittsburgh Steelers signed quarterback Russell Wilson during the 2024 offseason, the decision was met with mixed reviews. There were some fans who were thrilled to have the former Super Bowl winner on the roster, and there were others who had bought into the narrative that Wilson is a selfish diva who cares more about himself than his team. During the six games he has played in black and gold, he has gone 5-1, and the doubters are beginning to become believers. This is fueled by the fact that Wilson seems to be a perfect fit for the Steel City. 

Wilson's performance is more impressive because he missed the first several games of the season due to a calf injury. Justin Fields started in his place, and after going 4-2, fans weren't in a hurry to see him be moved to the bench. Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith said that the team is thrilled to have two starting-caliber quarterbacks, but Fields has been moved to more of a short-down and distance role, while Wilson is taking the bulk of the snaps.

In Week 13, Wilson checked another box off his Steelers bucket list when he won a shootout against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. In the afterglow of the win, Head Coach Mike Tomlin was asked during his regular Tuesday press conference why Wilson fits in so well in Pittsburgh. 

"He's a football guy," said Tomlin. "He loves football. He likes to work. I think that if you have that general approach, this is probably an easy train to get on because that's my tenor, that's our tenor. We love football. We like to work at it. We like to take the mystique out of performance. You do that through high energy and urgent preparation and all those things appear to be naturally him."

This isn't surprising. Pittsburgh is a city founded on hard work and blue-collar principles. The fan base has always appreciated that same mindset in their players and loves the smashmouth style the Steelers have employed for more than 50 years. When Pittsburgh drafted Ben Roethlisberger, one of the things fans loved about him was how tough he was and how he could out-bully their opponents. 

Wilson has stepped up off the field as well. He has been seen offering counsel to his teammates, including George Pickens. He is embracing the city and winning over the fan base. While some initially believed this was all a PR stunt, Wilson has shown there is heart behind his actions. After a couple of tough seasons, Wilson appears interested in rebuilding his legacy and sees Pittsburgh as a great place to do that. 

How Will The Steelers Continue To Use Justin Fields?

As soon as Wilson was healthy, fans began to wonder when they would use Fields in some special packages, particularly in the red zone, where the offense was struggling. 

It took them a few weeks, but they employed Fields in the Week 11 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. There have been some growing pains as the offense seemed more confused when Fields was in than the defenses did, but it is slowly beginning to take shape. 

Fields converted a critical third down in the win over the Bengals, which clinched the game for them. They need to continue to be creative with the way they use Fields. Even though he is a powerful runner, they have to also work out some passing situations for him so they aren't too predictable. 

Why do you think Wilson fits in so well with the Steelers? Click to comment below. 

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